From Patient to Volunteer

Seven years ago I was on life support in FMC ICU due to septic shock.  Months, multiple surgeries and rehab later I spent a lot of time informing myself about sepsis and felt the need to spread awareness. This evolved into an involvement with patient engagement activities and the beginning of my experience as an AHS volunteer.  Subsequently I learned of the need for volunteers on the FMC Intensive Care Unit.

It is my pleasure to assist in the Family area of ICU providing support, refreshments and guidance on accessing any needs.  As a former patient I know what my family went through and how life provides challenges for families and friends of patients.  If it seems that it may help, I can even provide the comfort of saying I was once a patient on this unit.

It feels wonderful to be able to give back to this unit for the care I experienced and it has helped me immensely in my long term recovery by filling the gap in my memory of a time when I was too sick to know.